(225) Daddy's Girl12 x 16, oil
private collection
As I painted this I realized that I am always drawn to photos and paintings where the viewer is behind the subject. Why is that? I suspect it is because there is a certain mystery that is missing when the subject is facing the viewer. I am intrigued by what the subject may be thinking/doing/seeing and if I can't see their faces, they are more likely to take on a universal "everyman/woman" quality. I like that. Anybody else have any theories about that?
"If equal affection cannot be, let the more loving be me”...W.H. Auden
(Happy "new number" Da)
6 comments:
faye that is worth a million...with the purse like mama carried hers..seashore
This is so sweet and beautifully painted. I like views from behind as I think it is easier for the viewer to picture themselves or someone they know in the same situation. And there is the lovely mystery that invites the viewer to add to the story.
Don't have any theories, but love your awesome work and look forward to getting my email from you each time you post.
Paint on.
Awww! Love this painting.
Paz
Hi Faye,
I'm new to your blog and really enjoy your work. I'm a quotes fan, so I'm always interested!
I think full frontal faces are harder (for me) to paint. Also, I think that we all like a little to be "voyeurs" and prefer to see something happening rather than be in the occasion. Looking from behind helps keep us out of the scene maybe?
Thanks for posing such a goosd question!
granny jo...yes, the purse is the thing!
artbymj...I agree - good point.
pfranklin...thanks, I am honored.
paz...thanks so much!
tracy... a voyeur - yes that must be it. We can observe without commitment. As for full frontal faces being more difficult to paint, I am convinced that no one thing is more difficult than anything else - instead I make a concerted effort to look at everything as a shape/spot of color and focus on how light hits the form - and not calling it a face allows me to focus on comparing warmer, cooler, darker, lighter spots as they relate next to each other- it is a very liberating way of seeing because it removes the fear of failure.
Thanks for all the insightful comments!
Faye
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